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UCLA on alert after robbery, attempted sexual attack 90 minutes apart

By City News Service

Posted:
01/08/2013 01:45:46 PM PST

Updated:
01/08/2013 01:48:31 PM PST

LOS ANGELES - UCLA students were being warned today to be on alert after reports of two students being the victims of separate crimes about 90 minutes apart early Monday on or near the campus. | » USC to be closed campus after dark

About 12:05 a.m. Monday, a male student was walking north on Veteran Avenue from Gayley Avenue -- adjacent to the west side of the campus -- when a man approached him from behind, "placed a handgun in his back, and demanded his property," according to UCLA police.

"The suspect threatened to shoot the victim if he failed to comply," police said. "In fear for his safety, the victim handed the suspect his wallet and cell phone."

The student was not injured. The suspect, who was armed with a silver- colored handgun, was described as about 20 years old, 5 feet 9 inches tall and weighing about 170 pounds. He wore dark pants, a dark beanie and a dark "puffy" jacket, police said.

The second crime occurred between 1:15 a.m. and 1:30 a.m. Monday, when a female student was attacked by a man as she walked on campus between parking structure No. 9 and engineering building No. 4, campus police said.

"The suspect exited the parking structure and approached the victim from the rear. He ran after the victim, placed her in a bear hug and told her he intended to sexually assault her," according to police.

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As the assailant tried to take the victim down to the ground, she broke free and fled, police said, and he ran away.

The man was described as white or Asian, about 30, 5 feet 11 inches tall, and weighing 160 pounds. He had a thin build, a light complexion and short black hair, and was wearing a gray hoodie and blue jeans. Anyone with information about either crime was asked to call campus police at (310) 825- 1491.